The American cowboy traces its roots to the Spanish vaqueros, whose horsemanship and cattle-herding traditions helped shape ranching across the Southwest. While the profession has evolved over the centuries, the values at its core — perseverance, responsibility and respect for the land, livestock and one another — remain timeless.
Since 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ has celebrated those values by showcasing world-class rodeo competition while preserving Western heritage and investing in the future of Texas youth through scholarships, educational programs and agricultural experiences.
A Cowboy’s Perspective
Few people understand the cowboy way of life better than recently retired professional bareback rider Richmond Champion.
Champion didn’t grow up in a family of ranchers or rodeo competitors. After moving from Anchorage, Alaska, to Plano, Texas, at 8 years old, his introduction to Western heritage came at his first rodeo in Mesquite.
By the time he was attending high school in The Woodlands, Texas, Champion had begun riding bulls before discovering bareback riding — the event where he found a deeper connection with the bucking horses. What began as childhood curiosity eventually grew into a 16-year professional rodeo career that included nine qualifications for the National Finals Rodeo.
Now retired, Champion is embracing a new chapter — spending more time with his wife and young son as they prepare to welcome another child this fall. But while his competitive career has come to an end, the lessons he learned as a cowboy have stayed with him.
For Champion, being a cowboy starts long before the chute opens.
It begins with the relationship between cowboy and horse; one built on trust, respect and understanding.
“A horse can flinch its skin when a fly lands on it, that’s how sensitive they are,” Champion said. “They can feel your emotions. They know when your heart’s racing and how fast your blood is pumping. That’s why you’ve got to be a cowboy before you ever become a competitor. Once you nod your head, you and that horse are in it together.”
For Champion, being a cowboy is measured by far more than wins or championships. It requires determination, mental toughness, perseverance, and the ability to maintain a positive attitude. Just as importantly, it means taking care of the people who help you along the way.
After 12 years of competing at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Champion said the event exemplified the cowboy values he holds most dear.
He pointed to the more than 36,000 volunteers, the millions of loyal fans and the Houston community as examples of the respect and generosity that define RODEOHOUSTON®.
Keeping the Legacy Alive
National Day of the Cowboy is more than a celebration of the past. It’s a recognition of the men and women who continue to carry the values of hard work, resilience and integrity into their communities every day.
At the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, that legacy lives on year-round through a commitment to supporting Texas youth, advancing agricultural education and preserving Western heritage.
Because being a cowboy has never been about what you wear, where you ride or what you’re born into. It’s about character, commitment and a way of life that continues to inspire generations.